Saudi Arabia draws $173bn in early November investment push 

The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative saw more than $50 billion in signed agreements and investment pledges. FII
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Updated 16 November 2025
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Saudi Arabia draws $173bn in early November investment push 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia booked $173 billion in investment commitments across multiple sectors in early November, driven by activity at the Biban forum, the inaugural TOURISE Summit and the Future Investment Initiative.

The Biban forum drew more than 100,000 visitors and generated agreements exceeding SR38 billion ($10 billion). The four-day event, held under the theme “Global Destination for Opportunities,” also attracted significant international interest, including nearly 50 startups from South Korea, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The opening edition of the TOURISE Summit secured investments worth $113 billion. Participating international and local companies announcing portfolios as part of the total included Melia Hotels, BWH Hotels, GOCO Hospitality, Cenomi, Radisson, Earth Hotels, Delonix and Ocean Link. 

The summit supports Saudi Arabia’s goal of emerging as a global tourism hub, with the Kingdom targeting more than 150 million visitors by the end of the decade. 

The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative saw more than $50 billion in signed agreements and investment pledges, spanning artificial intelligence, advanced technology, renewable energy and infrastructure. Since its inception, the FII platform has enabled more than $250 billion in cumulative deals, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global investment hub. 

In November, the General Authority for Military Industries announced that the localization of military spending had risen to 24.89 percent, marking progress toward the Vision 2030 target of 50 percent. 

In the energy sector, Saudi Aramco reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted net income of $28 billion, slightly above $27.7 billion a year earlier. The company also raised its 2030 sales gas production capacity growth target to around 80 percent above 2021 levels, expecting total gas and associated liquids output of about 6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. 

In telecommunications, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission conducted the Middle East and Africa’s first-ever trial of the 7 GHz frequency band for 6G. 


Bahri profit rises 12% to $647m in 2025 as oil shipping boosts earnings 

Updated 11 March 2026
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Bahri profit rises 12% to $647m in 2025 as oil shipping boosts earnings 

RIYADH: The National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia, also known as Bahri, posted a 12.07 percent increase in annual profit as stronger tanker earnings and higher global freight rates boosted results. 

Net profit attributable to shareholders reached SR2.43 billion ($647.46 million) in 2025, compared with SR2.17 billion a year earlier, according to a filing on Saudi Exchange. 

Revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, rose 9.12 percent to SR10.35 billion, compared with SR9.48 billion in 2024, while gross profit increased 14.71 percent to SR3.10 billion. 

Highlighting the main reason for the increase in net profit during the current year, the company said: “The increase in gross profit of Bahri Oil BU by SR755 million mainly due to improved operational performance and global shipping rates during the current year compared to the last year.”  

It added: “The increase in the company’s share of results of equity-accounted investees by SR134 million during the current year compared to the last year. 

However, the gains were partly offset by declines in other areas. Gross profit from the chemicals business unit fell by SR324 million, while the integrated logistics unit recorded a SR37 million decrease.  

The company’s operating profit climbed 4.67 percent year on year to SR2.73 billion, reflecting improved operational performance across several business units.  

Bahri said the increase in revenue was driven primarily by higher activity in multiple divisions, particularly its oil business unit, where revenue rose by SR1.26 billion due to increased operational activity and higher global shipping rates. 

The growth in revenue was partially offset by lower performance in other segments. 

Revenue from the chemicals business unit declined by SR396 million, while the dry bulk unit recorded a decrease of SR87 million compared with the previous year. 

Bahri also reported a SR138 million decline in other income, mainly due to lower capital gains from vessel sales.  

The company recorded SR216 million in gains from vessel sales in the previous year compared with SR6 million in the current year. Higher general and administrative expenses and increased finance costs also weighed on profitability. 

Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders reached SR2.38 billion, up 8.65 percent from SR2.19 billion in the previous year. 

 Total shareholders’ equity rose 12.07 percent to SR15.27 billion, compared with SR13.63 billion a year earlier, while earnings per share increased to SR2.63 from SR2.35. 

Separately, Bahri’s board of directors recommended the distribution of cash dividends totaling SR922.85 million for the 2025 fiscal year, equivalent to SR1 per share.  

The proposed dividend represents 10 percent of the share’s par value and will be distributed to shareholders owning 922.85 million eligible shares, subject to approval at the company’s upcoming general assembly meeting. The eligibility and distribution dates will be announced at a later stage.